Deciding whether I should get a research job for my gap year?

[deleted1106899]

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So for context, I had a summer research experience for the summers after my freshman and sophomore year, both accumulated around 400-500 hours each. Then, in junior year, I was in a clinical research position, got disrupted due to covid 19, and accumulated around 80 hours. I made this experience my most meaningful, due to specific reasons.

Unfortunately, I am a reapp with no great news, only 1 II with a R, but to all the other 30 schools, I have not heard back anything. Could staggered research be one of the flaws?

1. Does it come off weird that I made it most meaningful given the shorter amount of hours?
2. Does not having at least 1+ year of a longitudinal research experience make it a disadvantage, as mine are more short-term.

Any other words of wisdom or advice would be much appreciated!

 

[throwaway198773]

Just my experience, but I currently am also a reapp (2 interviews both cycles, last cycle 2ii -> 2WL -> 2R). I've been at a research position since graduation, accumulating pub's and research hours and I wish I took a clinical job.

I've gotten feedback from ADCOM's that outdated clinical is a problem with my app. In nyc and have been looking for any kind of clinical volunteering position for months but it's been super hard. not sure how the rest of ur app looks but I think that 500+ hours of research is more than enough and if you're going to be looking for a full-time position during ur gap year maybe make it clinical?

 

[SupDoc1998]

I dont think the staggering of your research should be a problem. Personally, I was in one lab for a very short time before transferring to another (this was because the PhD student moved, so the PI moved me into her husbands lab). I think as long as you can explain why you made the decisions (and the decisions were more or less sound), then it does not really matter.

With that being said, hours are important, but I think what is more important is the projects. I feel like they want to hear how you've developed a scientific mind through your research and what you have done on different projects from start to finish. So if you feel like you could use more work on this aspect by being apart of more research initiatives, than a research job for your gap year would work out!!

I personally work as a lab technician and am in my gap year right now. I absolutely love the environment because it keeps me engaged and has been very rewarding in the long run. Hopes this helps!

 

[pcm810]

I would say it depends on how you are framing your future goals in the application. Do you want to go into research/academic medicine? It seems like you have close to 1000 research hours already. I cannot imagine that is considered 'low' for someone who doesn't profess to want a career in research. I would look into getting an adcom to review your app and suggest what your weaknesses might be.

 

[chilly_md]

I would not have used a most meaningful slot on a job you had for a couple weeks. Research is almost never the issue. School list and low hours of clinical or non-clinical experience often are though. Having your most recent clinical experience a few years ago would also be a problem if that applies.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

I once wrote:

While it is healthcare-adjacent, keep racking up hours with your medical supplies outreach activities, or consider adding a community service sustainable activity that addresses a different area of need relevant to social determinants of health (helping homeless, shelter for women/children/homeless, food pantry/distribution, work helping those released from incarceration).

What happened there?

 

[LizzyM]

Frankly, I'd say that you have a red flag on your application that is scaring off adcoms. Make one last cycle including DOs but also think how this next job will position you for whatever you might do as an alternative to a career in medicine.

 

[deleted1106899]

I once wrote:


What happened there?

I have garnered around 250+ hours at a free clinic volunteering and 100~ hours at a food bank volunteering so far, since that suggestion.